Both Considered Day-To-Day, But Won't Play In Calgary

The Colorado Avalanche will face the Calgary Flames on Tuesday at Pengrowth Saddledome, marking the start of a three-game, intra-division road trip.

First place in the Northwest Division will be on the line tomorrow, as Colorado (12-5-3) currently holds a one-point lead over Calgary (12-4-2) in the standings. It will be the second of six meetings between the teams this season and the second in which Calgary will skate as the home team. The Avalanche pulled out a 3-2 victory over the Flames on Oct. 28.

Colorado has been one of the top road teams in the league during the first portion of the season, posting a 6-3-3 mark for 15 points in 12 road contests. The Flames are coming off a successful three-game road swing of their own (2-0-1) and are 5-0-1 in their last six overall.

“We’re not coming off one of our better games,” said defenseman Kyle Cumiskey. “We want to come out strong. All of these teams are close to us in the division, so we need to come out and play our best hockey.

“I think we’ve been a little lackadaisical the past few games. We haven’t been playing like our normal selves. We have to simplify our game, chip pucks in deep and put shots on net.”

Galiardi, Liles Traveling
The Avs could get a pair of players back at some point during the road trip. Following Monday’s practice, Avalanche head coach Joe Sacco said that both forward T.J. Galiardi (ankle) and defenseman John-Michael Liles (shoulder) will travel with the team on the Canadian road swing.

Galiardi and Liles took part in practice today wearing non-contact sweaters. Both are considered day-to-day, but Sacco noted neither player will suit up tomorrow against the Flames.